Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 153 of 1,450 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Tires. Review the 570 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 148 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 120 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
195 crash reports37 fire reports179 injury reports
What owners actually said
1,450 reports
Mileage unknown · Jul 26, 2001
Air BagsCrashInjury
THE FORD EXPLORER WAS HIT ON THE FREEWAY IN THE FRONT RIGHT SECTION WHICH PUSHED THE CAR LEFT THE CAR WAS THEN BROADSIDED BY ANOTHER CAR AND THE FRONT DRIVER SIDED DOOR FLEW OPEN IT WAS FORTUNATE THAT MY SON HAD ON HIS SEATBELT SO HE WOULD NOT BE THROWN FORM THE CAR, BUT WITH THE DOOR FLYING OPEN HIS ARM, LEG OR HEAD COULD HAVE …
Read full complaint
THE FORD EXPLORER WAS HIT ON THE FREEWAY IN THE FRONT RIGHT SECTION WHICH PUSHED THE CAR LEFT THE CAR WAS THEN BROADSIDED BY ANOTHER CAR AND THE FRONT DRIVER SIDED DOOR FLEW OPEN IT WAS FORTUNATE THAT MY SON HAD ON HIS SEATBELT SO HE WOULD NOT BE THROWN FORM THE CAR, BUT WITH THE DOOR FLYING OPEN HIS ARM, LEG OR HEAD COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERILY DAMAGED IF IT HAD BEEN IN THE WAY WHEN THE DOOR FLOEW BACK TO CLOSE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY EITHER, IT SEEMS THAT THEY WOULD HAVE SINCE THE BOTH HITS WERE AT SPEEDS OF APPROX. 55 MPH. *AK
NHTSA ODI #749277
Mileage unknown · Jul 23, 2001
Tires
THE RIGHT FRONT AND RIGHT REAR TIRES EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION PRIOR TO THE RECALL BECOMING PUBLIC, THE CONSUMER REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES AND IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT, THE MANUFACTURER DENIED REIMBURSEMENT BECAUSE THE REPLACEMENT TIRES WERE PURCHASED PRIOR TO JANUARY 1, 2000. NLM
NHTSA ODI #562167
Mileage unknown · Jul 22, 2001
Fuel System, GasolineService Brakes, Hydraulic
THE DEALER IS BEEN INFORMING THAT THEY ARE WORKING ON FUEL GUAGE PROBLEM FOR ALMOST 1 YEAR AND REPLACED THE ASSEMBLY IN THE FUEL TANK AND CONTACTED FORD SEVERAL TIMES. I ALSO CONTACTED THEM AND SPOKE TO SHAWN @ 1-800-392-3673 EXTN: 3066. HE TOLD ME FORD WILL CONTACT ME, BUT, FAILED TO CONTACT. ABS PROBLEM CAME RECENTLY. DEAL…
Read full complaint
THE DEALER IS BEEN INFORMING THAT THEY ARE WORKING ON FUEL GUAGE PROBLEM FOR ALMOST 1 YEAR AND REPLACED THE ASSEMBLY IN THE FUEL TANK AND CONTACTED FORD SEVERAL TIMES. I ALSO CONTACTED THEM AND SPOKE TO SHAWN @ 1-800-392-3673 EXTN: 3066. HE TOLD ME FORD WILL CONTACT ME, BUT, FAILED TO CONTACT. ABS PROBLEM CAME RECENTLY. DEALER REAPLACED A PART, BUT, DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. AS PER THE DEALER THE FORD MOTORS ARE AWARE OF THE FUEL GUAGE PROBLEM FROM THE BEGINING BUT, FAILED TO COME UP WITH A RECOMMENDATION.
NHTSA ODI #748925
Mileage unknown · Jul 16, 2001
Tires
AFTER PURCHASING VEHICLE, CONSUMER BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE A VIBRATION IN THE VEHICLE, TIRES WERE REBALANCED AND ROTATED, BUT THE VIBRATION STILL EXISTED, CONSUMER DECIDED TO REPLACE THE FIRESTONE P235/75RX15 TIRES WITH GOODYEAR TIRES AND THE VIBRATION IMMEDIATELY STOPPED, EVEN THOUGH PROBLEM OCCURRED PRIOR TO RECALL, CONSUMER IS RE…
Read full complaint
AFTER PURCHASING VEHICLE, CONSUMER BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE A VIBRATION IN THE VEHICLE, TIRES WERE REBALANCED AND ROTATED, BUT THE VIBRATION STILL EXISTED, CONSUMER DECIDED TO REPLACE THE FIRESTONE P235/75RX15 TIRES WITH GOODYEAR TIRES AND THE VIBRATION IMMEDIATELY STOPPED, EVEN THOUGH PROBLEM OCCURRED PRIOR TO RECALL, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING SOME TYPE OF COMPENSATION FOR HIS EXPENSE AND TIME OF RESOLVING THE VIBRATION.*JB
NHTSA ODI #562089
Mileage unknown · Jul 12, 2001
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 65MPH ON HIGHWAY AND ACCELERATED INTO ANOTHER LANE. ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS STUCK ALL THE WAY TO THE BOTTOM OF FLOOR. THERE WAS A LOUD STREAKING NOISE, AND BOTH FEET WERE ON THE BRAKE. SHE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDERS, AND VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #892658
Mileage unknown · Jul 12, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
ON THE FREEWAY CAR STOPPED RUNNING. CRANK SPLIT IN TWO. SERVICE REP COULDN'T BELIEVE IT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #748343
Mileage unknown · Jul 12, 2001
Power Train
THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING. NLM
NHTSA ODI #562043
Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2001
Tires
I HAVE HAD FOUR TIRE SEPARATIONS ON THIS SAME EXPLORER. TWO WERE ON THE ATXII 235/75R15 - BOTH VDHL FROM DECANTUR, IL PLANT. THE COMPANY (AFTER MUCH HASSLE) REPLACED THEM WITH THE FIREHAWK R45 ALSO VD DOT NUMBERS INDICATING THEY ARE FROM THE SAME PLANT. BOTH BLOWOUTS CAUSED OVER $1000 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO MY VECHICLE. THIS LAST…
Read full complaint
I HAVE HAD FOUR TIRE SEPARATIONS ON THIS SAME EXPLORER. TWO WERE ON THE ATXII 235/75R15 - BOTH VDHL FROM DECANTUR, IL PLANT. THE COMPANY (AFTER MUCH HASSLE) REPLACED THEM WITH THE FIREHAWK R45 ALSO VD DOT NUMBERS INDICATING THEY ARE FROM THE SAME PLANT. BOTH BLOWOUTS CAUSED OVER $1000 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO MY VECHICLE. THIS LAST TIME, I HAD TO PAY $350 FOR NEW TIRES. I SUSPECTED SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE ATX LONG BEFORE THE RECALL (AUG. 3, 1997 WAS THE FIRST BLOWOUT, JUNE 9, 1998 WAS THE SECOND). NOW I SUSPECT SOMETHING MUST EITHER BE WRONG WITH THE FIREHAWKR45, OR THE FORD SUSPENSION SYSTEM. PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CALL OR WRITE IF YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS.*AK (DOT NUMBER: VDHKFMA457 TIRESIZE: LTP235/75)
NHTSA ODI #748292
Mileage unknown · Jul 10, 2001
Seat Belts
DRIVER'S SIDE REAR SEAT BELT LOCKED UP, AND WOULD NOT RELEASE FROM LOCKING MECHANISM . SEAT BELT HAD TO BE CUT TO RELEASE CHILD FROM THE SEAT. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #892341
Mileage unknown · Jul 9, 2001
Equipment
CABLE HOLDING SPARE UP AGAINST VEHICLE WAS ABOUT TO BREAK. WIRING WAS WEARING OUT. CONTACT DEALER, AND DEALER STATED IT WAS WEAR AND TEAR OF VEHICLE.*AK
FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.
Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LIFTGATE ASSIST GAS CYLINDER BRACKET ON THE RIGHT HAND BODYSIDE OUTER PANEL WAS INCORRECTLY WELDED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE GAS CYLINDER BRACKET MAY NOT PROPERLY SUPPORT THE LIFTGATE INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REINFORCE THE BRACKET ATTACHMENT WITH TWO POP RIVETS.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 5.0L ENGINES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ALASKA, IDAHO, IOWA, MAINE, MICHIGAN (UPPER PENINSULA ONLY), MINNESOTA, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, SOUTH DAKOTA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. THESE VEHICLES, WHEN OPERATED FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND TEMPERATURES BELOW -20 DEGREES FARENHEIT, DO NOT RETURN TO IDLE DUE TO ICE IN THE THROTTLE BODY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE CAN BE CONTROLLED BY EITHER APPLYING THE SERVICE BRAKES OR SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION TO NEUTRAL, INCREASED BRAKE PEDAL EFFORTS OR SOME INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE CAN RESULT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED PCV SYSTEM WITH WATER HEATED VACUUM SOURCE.
THE CERTIFICATION LABELS ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES HAS INCORRECT REAR TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE DESIGNATIONS. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: INCORRECT INFLATION PRESSURES COULD CAUSE PREMATURE WEAR OF THE REAR TIRES. .
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH CORRECT CERTIFICATION LABELS AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR INSTALLING THESE LABELS. DEALERS CAN INSTALL THIS LABEL IF THE OWNER SO DESIRES.
WHEN IN THE SECONDARY LATCHED POSITION, THE DRIVER DOOR LATCHES MAY OPEN WHEN SUBJECTED TO TRANSVERSE LOADS LESS THAN THAT SPECIFIED IN FMVSS NO. 206, "DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR RETENTION COMPONENTS."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE DRIVER'S DOOR, WHEN CLOSED ONLY TO THE SECONDARY LATCHED POSITION, MAY NOT SUSTAIN A 1,000 POUND TRANSVERSE LOAD.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE DRIVER DOOR LATCH.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
3
PE00039 · Front Suspension Stabilizer Bar Link
Opened Sep 20, 2000 · Closed Nov 30, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
There is no summary currently available
PE99068 · Accelerator Pedal
Opened Nov 1, 1999 · Closed Mar 9, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train
There is no summary currently available
PE97010 · Electrical Fire In Center Console
Opened Mar 13, 1997 · Closed Sep 4, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
THIS INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT CONSOLE FIRES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES MOST OFTEN OCCURRED WHILE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE LAMP OUTAGE MODULE (LOM), WHICH IS PART OF THE MESSAGE CENTER, WERE TOWING A TRAILER AND WHICH HAD BEEN MODIFIED BY ADDING AN AFTERMARKET TRAILER WIRING HARNESS INTO THE VEHICLE'S TAILLIGHT CIRCUITS.THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATES NEVER AND MORE THAN OTHER TRAILER LIGHT BULB TO ONE CIRCUIT HOWEVER TRAILERS FREQUENTLY CONTAIN SEVERAL BULBS.THE RESULTING EXCESS CURRENT PASSING THROUGH THE LOM COULD CAUSE IT TO OVERHEAT RESULTING IN A FIRE.PROPER AFTERMARKET INSTALLATION OF TRAILER WIRING REQUIRES THE USE OF A BYPASS MODULE, WHICH OBTAINS POWER FOR THE TRAILER LIGHTS DIRECTLY FROM THE BATTERY RATHER THAN FROM THE VEHICLE'S TAIL LIGHT AND STOP LAMP CIRCUITS, OR THE USE OF THE MANUFACTURER'S WIRING HARNESS.IN A LETTER DATED SEPTEMBER 2, 1997, FORD NOTIFIED ODI THAT IT INTENDS TO TAKE ACTION TO PRECLUDE FURTHER INCIDENTS INCLUDING ISSUING A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TO ITS DEALERS, NOTIFYING TRAILER RENTAL ASSOCIATIONS AND AGENCIES WHERE KNOWN, AND ADVISING OWNERS BY LETTER OF THE PROPER METHOD FOR CONNECTION OF TRAILER TOW WIRING ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THERE WAS NO DEFECT TREND IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IDENTIFIED AS A RESULT OF THIS INVESTIGATION, AND FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES IS NOT WARRANTED TO CONTINUE THE INVESTIGATION.
Illustration